Glacier & Lights

Chapter 4

Quetzali has been destroyed by the Bardur.

*

Tolï was climbing up a mountain for an hour, to finally appear on it's top. Icy wind blew around his body, but he was used to it enought not to feel cold. He sat on the rocky ground and took a break. He was focusing on his slow breath and let go of every thought that could possibly interrupt his peace now.

He stood up after some minutes and started to look around. This mountain belonged to master Tïdee, his own master, and he climbed all the way up only because he got important message for him. He found Tïdee after a short walk. He was sitting on a rock, eyes closed, meditating.

"I am sorry to interrupt you, master, but I have important news for you." said Tolï, and then waited for master's response. Tïdee took three slow deep breath before he spoken. "Nothing to be sorry for, Tolï. I guess you want to tell me that Bardur attack Quetzali, am I right?" "Yesy how do you know?" "It's not so hard to imagine it, an aggressive and ambitious tribe like Bardur has a neighbor that is more interested in the strange birds called Qui-qui than in fighting for glory. What can happen?" Tolï didn't know what to say. "Oh sure, why didn't I figured that out?" There was a moment of silence. "So how did the attack looked like?" master asked. "They made a huge group of knights and riders and performed a quick attack on all Quetzali villages, then they surrounded the cities and waited for catapults. With catapults they conquered all the cities. It was two-day action." "What?" Tïdee's voice sounded a bit off it's normal calmness. "You want to say that they conquered all of the Quetzali?" Tolï started to feel a bit odd, master Tïdee was never so unsure. "Eh, yes, master."

Several minutes passed, then Tïdee stood up. "The balance was violated. Gather my men!" "And what should I tell them, master?" asked Tolï uncertainly. "Tell them that we are going to the Yadakk capital." Tolï took a breath. "But shouldn't we discuss it with the tribe leader? He's the head of out military forces." "You think that my disciples will not follow their master?" Tïdee's voice wasn't louder than usual, but Tolï knew he is angry. "Of course not, I didn't mean it like this, but our army will be small without his support." "There's no time to wait for Solïso's answer, we set off at the dawn. He may send reinforcements later, but we have to move on." Tolï bowed and started to climb down. Tïdee did the same, but from the opposite side of the mountain.

*

The Kickoo tribe leader was lying on beach, sunbathing and watching four players split in two teams playing Hak'ilani on a wooden platform floating on the lake. Left team scored and the ball fell in the water, but one of the kickooians swimming or just chilling in the water around got it and swam towards the platform to return it.

Lino kept watching them and started to think about making an official champion in Hak'ilani. He wasn't sure if it is a bad idea, but as a tribe leader he should consider it. The left team scored again. "It's nice weather today." Young kickooian in swimsuit was approaching him. "Koko!" said the tribe leader back. "Haven't seen you for a while, where were you?" "I was traveling, you know, Luxidoor is amazing tribe." Koko was smiling for he met again with his friend. "Yes, I know, but I am not sure if it is safe to travel out of our empire." "I think it was very safe, they like tourists because they can show off all their shiny stuff they have to them." "Yes, haha,  that is pretty Luxidoor. So, what are you doing now?" Koko's smile faded away. "I am captain of a battleship." "Really? That's nice. Being a captain isn't easy job, but it's not poorly paid and people will like you for your position." "I am not doing it for money or popularity. Something is going on, I can tell, and we have to be prepared." Lino frowned. "What do you mean, the Bardur action?" "No." said Koko slowly. "There's more than that. I am sure that Bardur won't stop after conquering the Quetzali. But also different things. We haunted three whales this month, that never happened yet, we usually get one, sometimes we have none. There are rumors saying Hoodrick fishermen haunted a gigantic crab. You know who is supposed to have gigantic crabs, don't you?" Link took a while to answer. "Aquarion is a myth. There's nothing wrong with good whale haul. Bardur is going to fight with Imperius I think, so nothing to worry about." Koko's face was full of tension. The tribe leader can't take such approach to the upcoming war. "It's not gonna end with Bardur against Imperius fifth and you know it." Link smiled. "There's a war with Bardur in it. We don't wanna fight side by side with Bardur and we don't wanna fight against them, so we are staying off this war. If something happens, we should be able to withstand it." Koko knew he can't change his mind. "Fair enough. But promise me you will keep our army strong. We'll need it. Building a few more battleships can't be wrong." "Well then." said Lino. "I will keep it in mind. Three new battleships will come to your fleet as soon as they are ready." Koko smiled. "Thanks." Then he ran into the water.